Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — June 12, 2025 — Meet Me On Main is an initiative by the Jonesboro Media Group, parent of Jonesboro Right Now, and First Horizon Bank – located in the historic landmark building at Main Street and Washington Avenue at the unofficial entrance to downtown Jonesboro.
A section of Main Street was closed Sept. 25, 2024, due to concerns about the safety of the former Citizens Bank building across Main from First Horizon.
The building was condemned, demolished and the lot and streets around it improved. Main Street reopened May 13, 2025, much to the excitement of downtown business owners, operators and downtown residents.
JMG and the First Horizon Foundation are promoting and supporting the downtown businesses with a series of articles. The articles will be published each Thursday for the next several weeks. In addition, there will be promotion efforts on JMG’s six radio stations each Thursday. JMG and First Horizon urge you to visit and support these businesses.
This week’s featured business: J. Hilburn Stylist Studio
At 234 S. Main St. sits the J. Hilburn Stylist Studio, operated by John Frankel, a place redefining the experience of men’s fashion.
Although the studio has been open for a year and a half, Frankel has been selling custom clothes for five years. But don’t expect to walk in and browse racks.
“It’s not a store. It’s a studio, so you can’t come in and buy anything because everything is custom-made,” Frankel said.
The experience is personal and precise. A measuring session takes 30 minutes, followed by time spent selecting fabrics and styles. From there, a shirt and pants arrive in two weeks, and a sport coat in four.
“I was actually already buying clothes from J. Hilburn, and I thought I could do that during COVID. And that’s basically how it got started,” Frankel said.
Though the street closure during downtown construction didn’t hurt Frankel’s business, he said, the traffic now poses its own challenges.
“They go so fast, they don’t take time to stop… I think downtown needs a lot of work.” He supports proposals to slow traffic: “I definitely think a single lane down this part of Main Street would help… a single lane with speed bumps would certainly enhance the downtown.”
Frankel stands behind the clothes he sells. There’s a 100% guarantee and 60-day return policy.
Client Matt Miller praises the experience: “The custom measuring is a great advantage… he can get you right on the money as far as the fit and finish. It’s great quality and a great fit.”
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with additional appointments available. Questions go through john.frankel@jhilburnpartner.com, and gift certificates are offered for those wanting to treat someone to a truly custom fit.
A portion of the Meet Me On Main promotion effort is being provided by First Horizon Foundation, the private, charitable foundation of First Horizon Corporation. Founded in 1993 to serve the communities in which First Horizon operates; the Foundation has donated more than $150 million across the First Horizon footprint.
The grants are invested in a way that responds inclusively to community needs and promotes progress and prosperity across these impact areas: arts & culture, education & leadership, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, and health & human services. The Foundation has awarded nearly a quarter million dollars in Northeast Arkansas over the last few years.